Hiking and backpacking can be strenuous; therefore, experienced backpackers always prepare in advance, equipping themselves with the best backpacking gadgets. Among the things that people carry, perhaps the most important is a water bottle for backpacking because you need to keep yourself hydrated during the trip. Moreover, a lightweight water bottle for backpacking is different from the usual ones with added durability, better insulation for your beverages when you’re away from your comfort zone, and a good portability profile (weight and ease of carrying). You will also be looking at unique and compact designs. This is something that bottle makers mainly focus on to give you the best quality product, and this is also something that sets the lightweight water bottle for backpacking apart from the usual ones.
Table of contents
- Hydrapak Stow – Collapsible Water Bottle
- Pogo BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle with Chug Lid
- Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle
- Zulu Ace Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
- Nalgene On The Fly BPA-Free Water Bottle
- Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle – with Carabiner
- Takeya Pickleball Insulated Water Bottle
- LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
- Nalgene Stainless Bottle
- Survimate Filtered Water Bottle
- Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle (48oz)
- Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid – Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle
- Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle
- How To Choose The Best Water bottle for hiking?
- What if I want to add ice or detox agents?
- I like chilled beverages during my trips. How do I make sure it stays cold?
- How rigid are these bottles?
Hydrapak Stow – Collapsible Water Bottle
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We will start our list with a product that has an excellent portability profile because you can store it almost anywhere. The Hydrapak Collapsible Water Bottle is perfect for those backpackers that do not wish to carry a sizeable water bottle for backpacking. When it’s not in use, compress it and store it conveniently. It comes with a flip-top cap, can be attached to most water filters, and is safe. Hydrapak Collapsible Water Bottle gives you a bit of storage freedom; as said above, it’s so insignificant when collapsed that you can store it almost anywhere.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Safe to use
Cons
- A bit unstable when filled with water
Pogo BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle with Chug Lid
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Pogo BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle with Chug Lid is a sturdy plastic bottle that can be used on multiple occasions, including camping and backpacking. Although its plastic design makes it exceptionally lightweight, it gives it a solid body. It has a chug lid making it easy for the user to drink. Moreover, the product is entirely free of harmful chemicals; therefore, rest assured the water or beverage within is completely safe to drink. Furthermore, as with most lightweight water bottles for backpacking, you won’t have to worry much about storage as they can fit in any decent storage container or backpack.
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Safe to use
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Drinking through the chug lid can be messy at times
Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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The following product on our list is stainless steel instead of plastic. This is one of the reasons why the Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Water Bottle is so sturdy and abrasion-proof. The handling is also very convenient as the cap is entirely leakproof. Moreover, as a matter of safety, the cap is reinforced with stainless steel, so the water within doesn’t come in contact with plastic. Also, there’s a 125-inch opening making it easy for you to refill the bottle or add stuff like detox products or ice.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Stainless steel
- Safe
- BPA free material
- leakproof cap
- No plastic contact with water
Cons
- Although insulation is excellent, there’s room for improvement
Zulu Ace Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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Looking for a product with the best insulation features, try Zulu Ace Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle. Although it’s made of the best quality stainless steel, it is still relatively lightweight and easy to carry outdoors. The makers of this unique bottle use an exclusive guardian technology that inhibits bacterial colonization keeping the water safe because, as we know, you can’t compromise on health or safety. Moreover, the base of the bottle is entirely removable for putting your detox material or ice quickly.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Good insulation
- Stainless steel
- Good safety profile
- Easy refill
- Portable
Cons
- The lid needs to be tightened; otherwise, leakage issues have been reported.
Nalgene On The Fly BPA-Free Water Bottle
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The Nalgene On The Fly BPA-Free Water Bottle is a lightweight plastic water bottle for backpacking. The design is so convenient that you won’t have to worry about creating a mess when drinking; the design employs a straightforward one-hand drinking approach which is why it’s named “On the fly” since you don’t have to worry about leaving things behind to take a sip from the bottle. The leakproof design makes it easy to store anywhere. Moreover, it’s wholly BPA-free and does not absorb odor or aroma.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact design
- Easy to clean
- Abrasion-resistant
- Durable
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Cap design could be better
Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle – with Carabiner
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Next on our list, The Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle – with Carabiner is, as the name says, a fully collapsable water bottle for backpack. It’s incredibly convenient when looking for some extra storage space within your camping or hiking backpack. Furthermore, the collapsable version is so tiny that you can even fit it in your pocket. Other than that, it’s BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalate-free. Also, don’t worry about odor or aroma; the bottle is made odor-free. Moreover, even with such a small size, it can hold up to a liter of drinking water; pretty impressive.
Pros
- Fully collapsable
- Lightweight
- Easy to carry
- Good storage capacity
- Freezable
- Solid build
- BPA free
- Multiple color options
Cons
- The edges are a bit sharp; therefore, handle with care
Takeya Pickleball Insulated Water Bottle
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Takeya Pickleball Insulated Water Bottle is equipped with a leakproof folding straw. This makes the water bottle a lot more convenient for hikers and backpackers. To add to that, The textured coating on the outer side makes it easy for one-handed drinking, which again gives you the liberty of taking a sip even if you have objects in your other hand. There’s also a handle on top for easy carry. Other than that, its silicone bumper and its solid body make it abrasion-proof, so even if you drop it (although I wouldn’t encourage it), the bottle will still maintain its shape with minimal damage.
Pros
- Excellent insulation
- Sturdy
- Easy to carry
- Convenient drinking
- Abrasion proof
- Leakproof cap
Cons
- For some, the lid can be too big
LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
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The following product on our list is made exclusively for hikers and backpackers. The LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle is equipped with a straw on top for easy drinking. Moreover, the straw itself is also designed in such a way with advanced microfilters to prevent microplastics and unwanted contaminants from leaking in. Furthermore, the bottle is made from high-quality materials, is exceptionally durable, and can be reused safely. Other than that, the cap can be removed entirely for easy refills and can be cleaned quite conveniently with a dishwasher.
Pros
- Strong body
- Easy refill
- Easy to clean
- Advanced microfilter technology
- Reusable
- BPA free
Cons
- Straw can be better
Nalgene Stainless Bottle
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The Stainless Steel Bottle by Nalgene is created only from the best quality material making it one of the sturdiest and most durable products on our list. Moreover, apart from build quality, the material is also odor resistant. The wide mouth on top ensures easy to refill and clean; also, you can conveniently fit ice cubes in it. Furthermore, this water bottle for backpack is extremely lightweight, making it one of the best products for the outdoors.
Pros
- Stainless body
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Good capacity
- Doesn’t absorb odor
- Wide mouth
Cons
- Although it’s very sturdy, you still need to be careful
Survimate Filtered Water Bottle
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Are you looking for something with advanced tech? Try the Survimate Filtered Water Bottle comes with four unique straw systems for you to choose from. The material they are made from is Tritan Copolyester which keeps the bottle solid for long periods. Even continuous usage will keep it going for long periods. Also, there’s an accessory on top exclusive for hikers and adventures; that accessory is a built-in compass that’ll help you navigate in case you lose your way.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy
- Good capacity
- Free compass
- Reliable
- Advanced tech
- Multiple color options
Cons
- The water output needs to be better for when the user is thirsty
Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle (48oz)
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The Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle is a premium quality plastic water bottle for backpacking. However, the bottle is initially designed for sporting activities. Still, it is also handy during general outdoor hiking or backpacking since its features such as its 1.5-liter water storing capacity, volume markers, and durable quality are something that all backpackers desire in a water bottle for backpack. It’s BPA free and safe to use, and if you want to wash it, you can do so using a standard dishwasher soap. Moreover, its ability to resist falls and ground impacts makes it perfect for rough travelers and backpackers.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Portable
- Easy refill
- Easy to clean
- BPA free
- Leakproof
Cons
- Watch out for soft spots on the bottom
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid – Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle
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The silver medal holder on our list is the high-quality dishwasher-safe bottle that keeps your beverages insulated for long periods. The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid – Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle is BPA-free and can be reused multiple times without having issues of safety or wear and tear. Moreover, the bottle is resistant to wear and tear because it’s crafted from the best quality stainless steel. Also, for those worried about leakages, you’d be relieved to know that this lightweight water bottle for backpacking is designed with a leakproof lid.
Pros
- Durable
- Abrasion proof
- BPA free
- Stainless steel
- Lightweight
- Leakproof
Cons
- A bit inconvenient to use for children.
Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle
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Takeya Actives Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle is one of the best options if you’re searching for something sturdy. It can keep the liquid temperature controlled for an extended period. This is because it’s made of stainless steel and has an effective insulation system that keeps the liquid cold for at least 24 hours. Another great feature of this water bottle for backpack is that the bottle will never absorb the flavor or odor no matter what kind of liquid you put in. Other than that, the spout lid on top has also been made leakproof for the user’s convenience.
Pros
- Excellent insulation
- BPA free
- Doesn’t absorb odor
- Leakproof
- Easy to carry
- Durable
Cons
- None.
How To Choose The Best Water bottle for hiking?
With numerous options in the market, it’s often hard to choose. Therefore, we listed the best water bottles for backpacking in the market here for your convenience. But, we don’t just pick randomly, and neither should you; there is always a criterion that one must ponder before making a definite selection.
Odor and aroma resistance
People using low-quality water bottles for backpacking encounter issues with stubborn smell and aroma in their water that won’t go away despite aggressive scrubbing. Therefore, as a backpacker, you would have to focus significantly on the qualities of a water bottle regarding odor and aroma. On our list, you’ll find several famous bottles for being odor-free.
Leakages
Nobody wants to make a mess, even if you’re wearing a high-quality hiking rain jacket, and it is a fact that a low-quality water bottle for a backpack might have spilling issues. Therefore, choosing a water bottle for a backpack with a sturdy design and a leakproof lid makes your trip easier.
Lightweight and portable
Finding a lightweight water bottle for backpacking that is also sturdy enough for outdoors and general backpacking can be tricky. But this is something of utmost importance as you wouldn’t feel comfortable carrying extra weight even if you have the best eBags backpack with you.
What if I want to add ice or detox agents?
Each water bottle for backpack on our list either has a wide mouth or a removable lid to allow you to insert ice cubes into it. Therefore, it is crucial to learn what you as a user are convenient about before choosing a water bottle for backpacking.
I like chilled beverages during my trips. How do I make sure it stays cold?
Water bottles for backpacking always have measures to keep the liquid insulated. Sometimes a lining is used; others rely on the make of their bottle to ensure good insulation. Anyhow, this is something that you can be confident about since having good insulation is mandatory for most makers. Also, products on our list can insulate the liquid for 24 hours.
How rigid are these bottles?
Most bottles on our list are incredibly lightweight, but that doesn’t imply that they are constructed cheaply. Water bottles exclusive for activities like backpacking or hiking are usually strongly built, keeping in mind the amount of wear and tear they might experience.